Pressing machine



PRESS ING MACHINE Filed 001;. 50, 1926 5 Sheets-Sheet l Oct. 22, 1929. B. w. BI'QQCKETT I 1,732,924

PRSSING MACHINE Filed. Oct. 50, 1926 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fia-3 OC- 22, 1929- v B. W. BRocKr-:TT 1,732,924

PRESSING MACHINE Filed Oct. 30, 1926 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Oct. 22, 1929 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE :BLUEORD w. -BRocxETT, OF CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, OHIO, AssIcNoR OE ONE-'HALE To UNITED sTATEs HOFFMAN MACHINERY' CORPORATION, OE NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OE DELAWARE, AND ONE-HALE To THE AMERICAN LAUNDRY i MACHINERY ooMPANYoEcINoINNA T-I, OHIO, A OORRORATION OE'OHIO PRESSING MACHINE Application led October 30, 1926. Serial No. 145,336.

'This invention relates to power operated laundry pressing machines and has especial reference to the light rapidly actuable type of press known as full automatic in operation whereinthe cycle of the movable pressing member is completed entirely by power, although controlled at all times by the operator of the press; and partlcularly to the type wherein a work holding and guard member l0provided with a pressing` surface adapted to contact with thework is interposedbetween the pressing members.

, The invention has for its object the provision in a press of the type to which refer- 16 ence has been made, of a combined guarding and' pressing member as described, an ar rangement of the same as to construction, location and operation wherein the utmost advantage is obtained of the guarding vfeature without impeding the most natural manner of operation of the press: the ultimate ob]ect of the invention being a press capable of extreme rapidity and ease, of operation, en-

tirely power actuated, yet operable ,with a '25 minimum of risk of injury.

Further objects of the invention will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which examples of my invention are set l forth as applied to representative pressing machines, and in which Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a machine chosen forillustration; Fig. 2 is a detail of a portion of the controlling mechanism employed, taken generally along the line1 2-2 of Fig. .1 Fig. 03l is a diagraml, matic view of the control system employed;

Fig. .4 is a side elevation. ofanother'maohine with my inventionapplied thereto, parts not shown being identical with those of the machine :appearing in Fig.' 1, and Fig. 5 is a plan viewfof the machine of Fig. 4. l The principal parts lor thepress are baseor frame 1, uponl which is mounted a paddedy buck. 2, andQw-hich is providedwith an upstandingA arm 3 on which yispivoted at 4 an arm orI air of arms 5y carrying a head 6 adapted to c ose upon the buck by avmeohanism to be described, and rovided with a pressing surface correspon ing in `conformation 5o with that of the buck.

`that pressure may be effected between the the vMounted upon a bracket 7 projecting from the base 1 is a motor 8 directly connected through a worm or wheel mechanism not shown, with a crank 9 movable about a center 10the`outer end 11 of which is connected by the rod 12 with a toggle joint 13 formed between the two links 14 and 15. The outer end ofthe link 14 is movable about apivotal connection with the base as indicated and the upper member 15 is positioned by aswivel block 16 carried or mounted upon the rearwardly extending portion of the pressing head arm 5.

Obviously by the mechanism described, i energization of the circuits of ,the motor 8 will cause rotation of the crank .9 and effect straightening of the toggle described, and thereby closing of the head 6 upon the buck 2; continuedoperation of the motor similarly alternately opening and closing the pressing members. A sprin 17 is mounted upon the toggle member 15 etween the swivel block 16 and a fixed collar 18, whereby the member is made slightlyl yielding in compression so v pressing members subsequent to the closing of the same'in a manner well known in the` art; a cap l52 l being secured upon the end of thememberl 15, whereby the toggle-mechanism and the weight co-operate therewith returning the head to open,position. A magnetic brake 19 .is` provided upon the motor shaft actuable by mechanism within the .box 20.; and a timing switch 21 is mounted within a casing-22 whereby the motor maybe auto-85 matically controlled during the pressing cycle Ain amanner toy be described;fbut the details' ofl construction ofy the brake and timing switch, both. of which are well known in the art and immaterial here, are not shown, except diagrammatically.inFig. 3. l y

Mounted upon a lever 23 pivoted upon the arml Sconcentric with the arm5 is a combinedv uarding and pressin .or plate member 24. 'he p1ate24 `may be o sheet metal relatively 95 thin in section, extends between the pressing membersthroughout their pressing surfaces andisV ofconformation to it exactly between the pressing surfaces upon closing of the pressing members. yAn upstanding portion 25 perforated as at 26 extends around the forward portion of the plate, the portion interposed between the pressing surfaces being smooth, and preferably highly polished. It is evident that the lower surface of the member 24 will in the pressing operation actually contact with the work laid upon the buck 2, and the buck and head being heated as is customary in the art, heat will be transmitted to the work from the head 6 through the plate during the pressing operation.

The upstanding portion 25 performs the function of a guardv as well as a heat radiating or heat dissipating device for the plate so that the temperature ofthe plate is not excessive and will not injure the operator should it touch the fingers in the clamping of the work.

The various parts of the pressing machine are represented in Fig. l in what is known as the full open position, that is, the movable head 6 is raised from the buck to approximately the maximum extent possible.

Movement of the plate member 24 between the pressing members is controlled separately from that of the head although subject to movement of the head, by a pedal 27 pivoted upon the frame at 28 and connecting by a link or push rod 29 with a rearwardly extending portion of the lever 23, downward movement of the pedal thus effecting corresponding movement of the guard member. The plate and pedal are normally retained in the position illustrated by a tension spring 30 connected between suitable eyelets upon the arm 3 and lever 23 respectively. The upper extreme position of the plate is limited as by the set screw 31 immediately effective upon the pedal leverv 32, to a position well clear of the extremely opened head member 6, the purpose of this arrangement being to allow radiation during non-press portions of the cycle, of the heat induced in the plate during the pressing operation. n

The push rod 29 is formed in two pieces, the upper portion 29 extending downwardly into the hollow interior of the lower portion 29". A`compression s ring 35 is positioned upon the portion 29l etween a flange 36 thereon and a similar flange 36 upon the upper extremity of the lower portion 29" of the push rod; a set screw 37 laterally extending into the stem of the upper portion 29 movable longitudinally in a suitable slot in the lower portion 29 limits the effect of the spring 35.

The proportions of the plate member actuating mechanism are such that maximum depression of the pedal 27 will ell'ect lowering of the plate upon the buck, and some slight pressure therebetween due to compression of the spring 35 between the flanges 36 and 36'; this pressure being just sufficient to maintain the work as positioned until the actual pressing pressure is effected subsequent to lowering of the head 6 by the power mechanism.

Extending adj acentf the forward portion of the lever 32 is a latch lever 38 provided with a cam surface 39 and urged about its axis 40 by the spring 41 to contact with the lever 32. Upon the side of the lever 38 is a notch adapted to receive and securely hold the lever 32 when lowered sufliciently, by engagement with the cam surface 39,-to move the lever 38 in a clockwise direction, (Fig. 2) and pass into'the notch.

Secured by a lost motion connection with the free end of the lever 38 by a slotted link 42 is a switch lever 43 enclosed within a switch box 44 and adapted to complete a circuit across contactors 45 in the upper position vof the pedal 27 and across contactors 46 inthe lower or latched position of the pedal.

The timing mechanism'within the casing 22 may comprise a pair of Contact segments 47 and 48 movable lwith the crank 9 in a counter clockwise direction and connected in the motor circuit as indicated in Fig. 3. A pair of contact arms 49 and 50 are arranged as indicated to rest alternately each upon its respective contact segment 47 or 48, the segment 47 corresponding with the closing movement of the press and the segment 48 corresponding with the opening movement of the press, the motor being arranged to run only in one direction. The contactors 45 are in the circuit of the contact arm 49 and the contactors 46 are in circuit with the contact arm 50. A treadle 51 is movable with the latch member 38 whereby depression of the treadle 51 may release the latched lever 32 to the action of the spring 30.

Operation of the press described will be as follows, assuming the parts initially in the position indicated in the figures. After smoothing the work upon the buck 2 the operator depresses the treadle 27 bringing the plate member 24 gently down upon the work to hold it in position, at the saine time manually releasing the work. The upstanding portion 25 of the plate thereupon assumes a position substantially obstructing the openingbetween the pressing members. If readjustment of the work is desired, release or partial release ofthe treadle 27 will effect raising of the plate; the lever 32 moving merely upon the vertical portion of the latch member 38.

Upon satisfactory laying of the work, complete depression of the pedal 27 effects pressure of the plate upon the work to hold it in position, and moves the switch lever 43 to close the motor circuit at the contacts 46. Upon closin of contacts at 46 the brake 19 is magnetica ly released and the motor will start, operating the mechanism as described vgresses' the contact segments 47 and 48 revolve until as maximum pressure is applied upon the work the contact segment 47 runs out from under the contact arm 50 stopping the motor and allowing spring actuated application of the brake 19.

Pressure upon the. work continues unt-il depression of the pedal 51 which releases the pedal 27 and allows return of the switch arm 43 to again make contact at 45. This completes a motor circuit through contacts 45, contactor arm 49 and contact segment 48, restarting the motor and operating the pressing mechanism toreturn the head 6 to its open position, whereupon the segment 48 runs from under the contact arm 49 and the motor again stops. of the pressing members the plate member 24 follows the head 6 until attaining the position illustrated whereupon the head continues to its u permost position.

Figs. 4 anti) 5 disclose the pertinent portions of another construction of a generally similar type of press to which my invention has been applied, parts not appearing in these iigures being identical with those of Figs. 1 'to 3. In this press the toggle member 15 forms a push rod as before, the upper end of which is positioned in a corresponding bore in a swivel block 16 but the cap 52 in this case instead of being secured upon the end of the push rod is mounted for rotational movement upon the rearwardly extending portion of the arms 5 co-axial with the swivel block 16Awhereby the inner or bearing surface 52 of the cap may be swung into or out of alignment with the push rod 15 so as to control the effectiveness of the upward thrust of the rod upon the head of the press, the weight 53 being suiiicient to cause the member 5 with the parts carried thereby to follow downward movement of the push rod 15 to the position shown in Fig. 4. i

The push rod 15 in this case is formed in two telescoping sections in a manner similar to thearrangement of the push rod 29 the spring 17 being positioned between collars 15 and 15- on the two members, and ofV strength whereby the push` rod functions generally as a solid unit but is capable of yielding longitudinally -during the actualy pressing operation.

Carried upon a suitable lever movable with the cap' 52 is a swivel block 53 in which is loosely mounted a pull rod 5.4 the upper end of which is in pivotal connection with the rear extremit of the lever 23. The lower end of the pu l rod is threaded to receive an `adjusting nut 55 adapted upon raising the pull rod a predetermined distance, to engage the swivel block 53 and raise the cap 52 to alignment or abutting position with respect to the end of the push rod 15. The proportioning and adjustment of the parts is such that when the pressing head is substantially During the opening raisedV away lfrom the buck the action of gravityl will tend to maintain the cap 52 in the position illustrated in Fig. 4. The lost motion between the nut 55 and the swivel block 53 is such that movement of the cap 52 to its push rod abutting position will not take place until the plate 24 is substantially closed upon the buck. The result is obviously that actuation of the motor will be effective to close the head 6 upon the buck contingent upon substantially closing of the plate upon the buck; the electrical interlock including the contacts 46 as already described as well as the mechanical interlock including the cap 52', being operative to this end.

Vhat I claim is:

1. In a pressing machine of the typede` scribed, a pair of cooperative pressing members relatively movable in a plane to widely separated relation, a plate substantially coeXtensive with and movable between said pressing members, means for urging said plate to an idle position near to but out of contact with'one of said pressing members, an upstanding portion carried by said plate and adapted for obstruction of the opening between said pressing members when in said work securing position, power means for operating said pressing members, a controller for said power means, an operative connection between said controller and said plate, and an operator operated device connected to said plate for controlling the movement thereof.

2. In a pressing machine of the type described, a pair of cooperative pressing inembers relatively movable in a plane to widely separated relation, a plate substantially coextensive with and movable between said pressing members, means for urging said plate to an idle position near to but out of contact with one of said pressing members,

y and being adapted for movement in advance for obstruction of the opening between said t pressing members whenin said work securing position, power means 7 for operatingsaid pressingmembers, a controller for said power means,fconnections betweenl said controller and said plate, a pedaloperatively connected to said plate, connections between saidp-late f and pedal adapted toeifect'yclosing of said pressing members dependent uponpositioning of said plate'to secure said work, a latch member adapted to automatically. engage said pedal in work securing position, and an operator operated means for releasing said latch'.

3. In a pressing machine of thetypedescribed, a pair of cooperative Vpressing mem# bers relatively movable in a plane to widely separated relation, a plate substantially coextensive with and movable between said pressing members, said plate being adapted 5 for securing work positioned upon one of said members, and for transmitting pressure from the other of said members for ironing said work, power means for operating said pressing members, a pedal'operatively con- 10,\nected to said plate, a controller for said power means, a connection between said controller and said plate, means for automatically deenergizing said power means upon completion o the pressing operation, an operator operated member adapted to effect opening ofk said pressing members, a push rod operatively connected between said power means and one of said pressing members to move the same upon the other to effect the pressing operation, a cap carried by one of saidl members and movable to connect said push rod to or disconnect said push rod from operative relation with said movable pressing member, and a connection between said cap and plate whereby said push rod is maintained inei'ective upon said pressing member subject to positioning of said plate to secure said work.

4. A pressing machine of the type described, a pair of pressing members relatively movable in a plane to widely separated relation, power means operativel connected to said pressing members for closing the same and applying power pressure to the work therebetween, a work clamping late co-extensive with the pressing faces o said members and supported for movement therebetween, a controller for said power means, and operative connections between said plate and said controller.v

5. In a pressing machine of the type described in claim 4 wherein the plate is provided with an operator operated device for moving said plate to work clamping position. 6. A presslng machine of the type described in claim 4 wherein the plate 1s provided with a heat dissi ating means.

7. In a pressing mac ine, a frame, a sta; y tionary ressing member, a movable pressy ing mem r, a work holding and ironing plate co-extensive with the pressin areas of said members and movably mounte therebetween,

power means, operative connections between the ower means and the movable pressing.

mem er, a controller for the power means, an

o rator operated device for moving said V p ate, connections between said plate and said controller for effecting the operation of `the controller by movement of said plate, and 50 means normally tending to urge said plate to a position near to but out of contact with lthe movable pressing member when the press is open. 4

8. A Pressing machine as in claim 7 wherein'the operator operated coupling device is arranged in the connections between the ower means and the movable presslng memer.

9. A pressing machine as in claim 7 wherenature.

BLUFORD W. BROCKETT. 

